UK reveals military maintenance facilities in Ukraine for first time

Land March 13, 2026

In partnership with Ukraine Defence Industries (UDI), Ukraine’s state-owned defence holding company, Babcock will ensure that critical military assets are available when and where they are needed most

The UK Ministry of Defence has disclosed the existence of four operational maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities within Ukraine, with a fifth site currently in the planning stages.

These facilities represent a significant evolution in the UK’s support strategy, shifting from equipment donation to localised industrial sustainment. Operated under Ministry of Defence contracts by British companies, these sites utilise a combined UK and Ukrainian workforce to service a wide range of hardware, including CVR-T armoured vehicles, Husky support vehicles, and L119 light guns. Crucially, the network manages the entire fleet of UK-donated AS-90 artillery systems and collaborates with Swedish partners to support Archer artillery systems. By conducting repairs in-country, the initiative significantly reduces turnaround times for battle-damaged equipment while fostering a highly skilled local industrial base.

This announcement coincided with the largest UK-led international trade mission to Ukraine to date, involving 55 companies, including a record 35 British firms ranging from prime contractors to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Facilitated by ADS Group, the mission underscores a transition toward a permanent UK industrial presence in Ukraine, supported by the upcoming opening of a British Business Centre in Kyiv. For businesses in the UK defence supply chain, this move signals a long-term commitment to industrial partnership and sovereign production capacity within Ukraine. The mission also facilitated discussions on mobilising private capital and inward investment, providing a framework for UK companies to engage in the rebuilding and modernisation of Ukraine’s defence infrastructure.

Further opportunities for technical specialists have emerged through new bilateral agreements. Under the auspices of Programme Lyra, a technology exchange framework established in June 2025, the UK and Ukraine have formalised a new project to share advanced military innovations. Additionally, a specific agreement has been signed regarding electronic warfare (EW) technology. This partnership will see sophisticated UK EW capabilities integrated onto Ukrainian platforms, creating a collaborative environment for high-end technical development. Since the onset of the conflict in February 2022, the UK has committed over £21.8 billion in support, cementing its role as a primary bilateral donor. For UK defence contractors, the establishment of these MRO facilities and the formalisation of technology exchanges represent a clear pathway for sustained engagement in international defence programmes and the delivery of critical operational readiness.

If you would like to join our community and read more articles like this then please click here